2352. 'Where are the men who came to you?' means denial of the Lord's Divine Human and His Holy proceeding. This is clear from the meaning of 'the two men' dealt with above in 2320, and also from the feeling concealed in the words expressing this anger, as well as from the demand coming immediately after, 'Bring them out to us and let us know them'. Each of these considerations shows that denial is embodied in this question. That those who are opposed to the good of charity are opposed to the Lord and at heart deny Him, though for reasons of self-love and love of the world they confess Him with their lips, see above in 2343, 2349.

2320. The reason there were only two angels on this occasion, whereas three men had stayed with Abraham, is an arcanum which cannot be explained in a few words. It does become clear to a certain extent from the consideration that in this chapter the subject is judgement, that is to say, the salvation of those who have faith and the condemnation of those who have not. It is also clear from the Word that judgement belongs to the Lord's Divine Human and His Holy proceeding. That it belongs to the Divine Human may be seen in John,

The Father does not judge anyone, but has given all judgement to the Son. John 5:22.

'The Son' is used to mean the Divine Human, see 2159. That judgement belongs to the Holy proceeding from the Lord's Divine Human is also clear, again in John,

If I go away I will send the Paraclete to you; and when He comes He will convince the world in regard to sin and righteousness and judgement. John 16:7-8.

And that the Holy proceeds from the Lord is clear in the same gospel,

He will not speak from Himself but will receive it from what is Mine and declare it. John 16:13, 15.

This referred to when the Human had become Divine, that is, when the Lord had been glorified, as is stated in the same gospel,

The Holy Spirit was not yet because Jesus was not yet glorified. John 7:39.